Motorists Have Fear of Driving A Car But Driving Anxiety Treatment is Available

07/05/2014

Driving a car is probably the most risky thing many of us do. A recent survey by Allianz Insurance, reported inThe Herald Sun on February 28th 2014, has discovered that 79% of the 1000 drivers they surveyed had worries about driving.

17%of motorists surveyed reported that they decide not to make a certain trip due to their fear of driving a car. This is not surprising to me as I know many people who will not drive in city traffic or on freeways for fear of having a panic attack. Numerous people have told me they would not drive through tunnels or over the Westgate Bridge for fear of having a panic attack in the car.

The survey also found that 83% of middle aged drivers (those aged 35-44) got anxiety while driving. Motorists were found to be worried about tailgating, road rage and uninsured drivers.

Understandably, 22% of people who had had a car crash reportedexperiencingmore worry and stress anda drop in confidence after a collision. Womenwho had had a car crash were more worried thanmales who had had a collision.

Some motorists will develop post traumatic stress disorder after a motor vehicle accident and may require assistance from a mental health professional , such as a psychologist, in order to get back behind the wheel. I have worked with people who, having had a serious car accident, were unable to even look at a car resembling their vehicle, without experiencing significant fear. These drivers need to be slowly and gently exposed to driving. The driving experience may need to be broken down into very small, manageable steps. Even sitting in the car without turning the ignition on may be stressful for a traumatised motorist.

For example, initially an anxious motorist might just drive up and down a dead end street. Then they might progress to driving around quiet back streets. Then they might venture onto amore busy road, and eventually work up to driving on a freeway. Some anxious drivers might feel safer with someone sitting beside them, but others feel more stress if accompanied as they fear they might injure or kill their passenger. Many motorists with post traumatic stress disorder can overcome their fear of driving a car with graded, repeated, prolonged , massed exposure .

8 Comments

Hi, I’m wondering if we could talk on the phone? I have anxiety about crossing the Sydney harbour bridge and going through the harbour tunnel. I do manage it, but I get a spike in anxiety which has had me avoid it for far too long. I feel as I approach the bridge that I’m dizzy, overwhelmed by the size of the bridge and scared of An accident or speeding to try and cross quickly.
Amy help would be greatly appreciated. I haven’t driven out of Sydney either for similar reasons.

Hi, live on the Central Coast NSW and would like too know if there is a contact number for here as I have developed anxiety with driving on the freeway and would like to overcome it. Any support in this area would be appreciated.

I also live on the central coast. And have issues with anxiety driving. Where i panic , shortness of breath , twitchy then lose feeling in my arms and legs and blurred vision. Maily happens at lights and intersections.
Any help would be greatly appreciate 🙂

Hi I have had learners for few years trying to over come fear of driving so can get my licence had drive other day for
Few hours after haven driven for. A while just wanted to advice to try push my self keep trying and I guess scared droning in city too thanks